Sunday brought word that the Packers are still considering using their franchise tag on wide receiver Greg Jennings and that doesn’t seem to be the only issue vexing them with the start of free agency approaching quickly.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the team is “torn” about whether or not they will keep tight end Jermichael Finley for the 2013 season. The question of Finley’s future has been batted around for months, with McGinn previously reporting that the Packers had already decided to dump Finley before the second year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason.

Now the word is that the Packers coaching staff and General Manager Ted Thompson want Finley to return for another year while “other people in the organization” favor his release. That split would seem to favor Finley’s return, although there may be a desire to revisit the financial picture on the Packers’ end of things.

"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." - Nikola Tesla

I don't see a scenario where both Jermichael Finley and Greg Jennings do not return.

Yeah, I have to agree with that. If Jennings isn't tagged and he signs somewhere else, I can't see GB cutting Finley. That's too big of a hit to the receiving core to take in one year. If they tag Jennings or manage to sign him to a contract, I can see Finley getting cut to free up money.

If Jennings doesn't get tagged and walks, GB is essentially tagging Finley again, his contract was basically a 2 year contract at about the TE franchise tag number, or a little lower. So keeping Finley around for one more year isn't really a big risk, unless they want to extend Mathews, Raji and Rodgers all in 2013, then they probably need the cap space this year.

If Jennings doesn't get tagged and walks, GB is essentially tagging Finley again, his contract was basically a 2 year contract at about the TE franchise tag number, or a little lower. So keeping Finley around for one more year isn't really a big risk, unless they want to extend Mathews, Raji and Rodgers all in 2013, then they probably need the cap space this year.

Finley's cap number is actually over $2 million above the franchise tag for tight ends in 2013. The tag number is about $6 million and Finley is set to make almost $8.8 million.

Personally, I think Finley is more important than just about any other target we have available to this offense. I think Quarless could be a poor man's version, but what Finley (and guys like him) do to a defense is vital opening up other holes in the defense. Once he started holding onto the damn ball defenses started to roll coverage to minimize his effectiveness.

His speed size ratio and athleticism make him a game changer.. not to forget that he will be in a contract year and motivated even more.

I think keeping him, even at the number if need be is more important than bringing Jennings back. IE I think it will be easier to replace Jennings in this offense than Finley.

Now if the right talent at TE falls to us in the draft.. I very well might change my mind and flip the other way.. but as of right now, Finley brings something to the table that we currently lack even with Jennings.. a match up issue based on the raw player talent over scheme. Yes.. even Cobb has to be schemed in with movement to scare the defense.. once he improves the crispness of his routes that may change as well, but currently the Packers have to use scheme to help him get loose. Whereas Finley can push a defense by his raw talent and body type from traditional TE spots or simply moving him wide.

I think the Packers hold onto him until they have a replacement option on the offense.. a guy that snap in and out can be a match up problem for the defense as an individual. Whether that is a elite receiver or another TE that can create the same type of issues for the defense.. maybe with a little be less of the "drama" that seems to follow Finley.. in which most of it is created by the media more so than him. Finley is the classic case of a guy that would benefit from a change of scenery and a chance to drop some of rep that has been attached to him.. even if the comments were from a couple years ago.

I think when there's enough will and aggression, there's no shortage of talent either.

I agree. The Packers inked up the contract just a year ago. However, if they want to sign him to a three year deal that gives more bonus and less base salary, I think it would be good for both sides.

Jermichael Finley said:

I’d have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn’t take a pay cut. Maybe I’d restructure if it’s a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I’m not the guy that’s just going to sign anything and let anything pass. I’m not that guy. Other than that, taking a pay cut or restructuring doesn’t sound good to me at this time. I like my deal. I start training in Minneapolis tomorrow and I’m more inspired than ever to start next season off right and be the tight end I know I can be. It’s all business at the end of the day. I just love what I do.

"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." - Nikola Tesla

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